I like the middle upholstered chair you showed. It's a nice transitional style for the room and coordinates well with your color scheme.

Also, I have the upholstered bar chairs you listed in your pics in Nov. The one with the tapered seat and seat back. They are beautiful in my opinion, and my kitchen is a transitional design (at least I hope so). But the color is quite warm beige that leans more golden brown so it might not work for your space.

Ok I’ve narrowed down my lighting, mock ups and I’m taking a vote.

I want a more sophisticated Unique look and accent piece, but not sure if I should use a basic “kitchen“ light

the soffit is 9” so I tried to go smaller or larger on the light mock up depending on Actual light length

The ceiling is not high so I don’t think it should fall too far below soffit

the 1st is my favorite But unable to do mock up so I supplemented with a different light (that’s ok as well And 9” high)

***is it too large?? if so what about the one in the mock up?***

#1

the 2nd options I like because they are more unique

These I consider standard

“kitchen“ lights

Coming in late in the conversation of this reno. It looks good, however, the first thing I noticed in the before pic was "no under cabinet lighting"... that is the first addition we have put in every place we lived--it makes all the difference in the world, then you can move on to any changes you want to make...Anyway, you are done! I do agree with bringing some color into the island and coordinating window covers.

Hello again! Saw your lighting pics. My 2 cents: please consider some that are not clear. It has a blinding effect to anyone looking above eye level. Or you can take these and frost them. You are spot on about the size too b/c of the soffit. On the chairs just make sure there is enough room to walk behind. Keep us posted!

I like the white milk glass kind It it will be Less dusty and won't be blinding And still be bright

Now kitchen is mostly white - add metal finish cool, but weathered too?

60 watts Candelabra. W 16.25" / H 12"

Baxter 3-Light Semi-Flush, Weathered Iron · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/baxter-3-light-semi-flush-weathered-iron-prvw-vr~150287106

Idk what rest of room is like, but with warmth on floor and table, I could see accent of warm metal, just a bit of warm - W 13" / H 11"

then W 10" / H 11"

3-Light Semi-Flush Mount, Warm Brass · More Info

1-Light Semi-Flush Mount, Natural Brass · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/3-light-semi-flush-mount-warm-brass-prvw-vr~113891224?lid=85590323

https://www.houzz.com/products/1-light-semi-flush-mount-natural-brass-prvw-vr~104600446

Ok going with my first choice on lighting

I like the first light you posted! The second seems too busy with the three lights and I don't like the third light's style with your kitchen.

Also, I wouldn't change your island stools unless you plan to also replace your island. The wood softens the white and brings in some nice texture against all the white. Because of this I think the wood shades that Beth H. posted would look awesome.

Such a fun transformation to follow!

Although the decision seems to be made, I agree with above. I would use a gold metal to bring out the warmth of the floor, and I would never use the clear glass. It is blinding, especially in a kitchen where all the white is going to reflect.

I love your floor!!!! Can you tell me the color, brand and where I can buy. Your kitchen is beautiful.

a big glitzy chandelier with crystals and such. they are often super afordable second hand. it would add so much life and light. but your kitchen is very nice dont be discouraged. i really love the island. also add little bright accents. baskets of fresh fruit, bright tea towels, displayed cookware with warmth anf life like copper and pretty anamel cookware

I just saw the gold options. Those are gorgeous! believe it or not I’m not too trendy and like to play it safe so I like the way the nickel blends in. If I go too trendy I’ll want to change it in a year. However They would make great accent lighting!!

@gizma its natural slate flooring from Bedrosians tile store

In addition to above concerns, those Edison bulbs are murder on the eyes and provide very little useful light. Will give yellow gold glow. I hope you rethink that fixture.

Here is interesting one and great price.

Would work really well with those headers too.

Love the semi flush light @Flo Mangan just posted!

Heed the concerns regarding the clear glass shades and Edison bulbs - if bright enough to be useful, the bulbs will detract and be hard on the eye - you're basically staring at a bare light bulb. They stand out quite a bit when lit. The clear glass also shows dust/grease/dirt and can drive you nuts looking dirty so quickly.

A soft white milk glass/translucent but not transparent shade is much more pleasing glow and also won't fight for attention in the kitchen.

Decisions! Decisions!!

If you haven't already, check out www.shadesoflight.com - They have some interesting fixtures.

Design girl — beautiful lighting! thank you!

You did such a beautiful job with your kitchen! The floor was a great choice after all. I am glad you put up the white shades while you decide. You now have a blank canvas with which to work and have created a timeless space. Congratulations! It does look like an inspiration photo!

LT,,,if you don't like the edison bulbs (and you won't, way too dim) get an LED bulb. even if the fixture says 60w max, w/the LED bulbs you can actually do a 100w because they pull less juice. I did that w/my sconces that came w/edisons. the LED bulbs really make a diff. find one in the 3500K temp.

Have you considered a small skylight in the ceiling?

We had a dark kitchen even though we have a large window in the kitchen. The overhang of the roof blocked any sunlight. It was so dark.

A friend suggested a small skylight, Tubular Skylights. I got an estimate and had one put in the ceiling.

Made such a difference you would be amazed. It just brought all my cabinetry and counters to life. I only need the lights at night.

I was so impressed, I added more throughout the house.

I would consider checking them out and get a price. They install them in less than an hour. Overhead light might change the entire look of your kitchen.

Jane

Just looking at photos at beginning of this session. Wall and ceiling color could be a green/gray neutral. Pick up floor colors and brighten the room. Backsplash very dark, that could be way lighter with some color to brighten. Tall narrow island is a great place to add color instead of black or whatever color it is.

The walls and ceiling beams are what jumps out at me- The caramel color is heavy and if it were lightened to a pale gold it would help- use the lightest color in the floor tiles as a starting point but be careful that it contains enough color so as not to look 'dirty' against the bright cabinets. Also, I feel that the backsplash tiles don't work- some suggested painting them and I'm going to agree, since replacing would be $$$ and difficult. You said you don't want 'farmhouse' yet the island table is certainly in that colonial-ish family. I wouldn't buy chairs for that table, Id go with simple stools that will go underneath to keep a clear path through. But basically three changes will improve the room- 1. re- paint 2. new simple backsplash. 3 remove decorative stuff and simplify. (plants, wall decorations, fussy curtains or blinds.- go with simple light wood blinds mounted at same level as tops of cabinets. Oh yeah, while you're at it, remove glass in cabinets, perhaps leave doors off altogether and paint inside of open cabinets a darker shade picked from floor, like dark gray. Your good dishes and glassware will look fabulous against that if displayed well.

Two word, undercabinet lighting.

Tubular skylights will make a world of difference. Natural light, and plenty of it, will positively effect the feel of the entire space. There is no downside risk. Install two of them before making further decisions.

Paint the walls white and change the backsplash to a much lighter color.

The only things I'd change are the wall color and the backsplash. The walls don't have to be white either. A lovely light gray would look great, and maybe just a plain white subway tile with a darker gray grout would do the trick. Oh - and paint the ceiling either white or the light gray of the walls.

I'm confused! Getting rid of that bulky farm style island and replacing it with the sleeker, simpler island is great. I think the floor looks fine now. If you feel you need to change something, change the back splash to white subway tile. The original island is what weighed your kitchen down.

I'll be honest having been in a temporary rental with those tubular skylights - the light was very weird, like having an old-school fluorescent tube on during the day. Maybe the technology has changed and the newer ones are a more pleasing light, but we hated them.

All of our house was paints a dark gold when we moved in, and our house faces north. I was thinking I would have to replace all of the lights with some thing much brighter. However, once we painted a soft cream, BM White Dove, our whole home brightened up immeasurably! We didn't have to change out any of our lighting, and we get tons of light! The old paint color was sucking up what light that came in. I would paint the walls something in the white range, and change out your backsplash. If you want color in your kitchen, do it with accessories.

Paint the walls first before you do anything else. I love your backsplash and your floors! Don’t change them, just add more under counter lights or increase bulb size you have. It’s really a beautiful kitchen.

I think that this thread is so long, that people coming in at the end might not be aware of all the changes (in such short time too!!! Congrats you are my hero) already made.

The industrial style lighting is certainly trendy...love the warmth of the gold. But it throws in a style's nothing like the cabinets. I would also avoid clear glass globes. I have clear glass and it's a nightmare to clean without seeing smudges everywhere...in a kitchen, with all the grease, it would be a full time job keeping it looking decent.

here is the updated kitchen! Unable to update original post!!

LT Dub - Looks fantastic. Backsplash and counters turned out great. When you're ready, I would definitely change out the cellular shades to something either textural like bamboo, or something like one of the lovely printed roman shades Beth had posted pics of. It would bring some needed color to the kitchen, without weighing it down. Make sure you mount them higher up than they are now. Just under the soffit over the sink, and at that same level on the other window. It will allow more pattern in the room and make the windows appear larger, while not blocking out light. Your kitchen has really transformed in such a short time and is so much lighter and brighter. Well done.

Love your new kitchen! Warm, bright, and inviting. It also looks more spacious now.

I absolutely love your kitchen, especially the floor! I might perhaps change/paint the backsplash to something lighter and definitely get brighter LED bulbs. That's all!

EDIT: I see the changes you have made in your kitchen and it looks great, similar to what I have envisioned.

I'd like your kitchen and your Shades and the Lighting is great

Kitchen still looks good! My 2 cents on lighting: seems like you want silver/brushed nickel, and semiflush mount. This will be perfect with your finishes. I would avoid a clear globe b/c blinding effect, and I would also avoid a downward light. This may create a spotlight effect with more shadows. An up light may brighten the area within the soffits. A schoolhouse type enclosed globe will create general lighting.

Remove the plants from the top of the cabinets and put lighting strips up there, you won't have the shadows up there and it'll make the ceiling feel higher.

The lighting turned out great!!! Actually softened the room!

That sure looks great! I have to confess when you first shared the lights as potentials, I was not feeling them. Clearly you had a much better vision and sense of what would work. Your kitchen looks absolutely amazing.

Beautiful! You did a great job!

Ditto @salonva! The shape and finish are great!

Looks wonderful!

White quartz countertops, lighter soffit color, remove or simplify the window covers, and add a colorful throw rug in front of the sink. It’s a pretty room!